Wanted: Excursions in Brazil, 2-4 days, Solo Traveler

Thanks for the information.

I've been trying to decide if I should carry a rather expensive Canon DSLR camera (concealed, of course) around with me when I'm moving about solo. Any thoughts?

Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone.

I'm a bit torn on whether or not I want to visit Iguazu Falls or not, knowing that I'd be foregoing other potential excursions. Is Iguazu Falls really worth it?

Yes

You are joking, right? Is São Januário a stadium?

I think the most accurate description would be a slough of despond.

Thanks for the information.

I've been trying to decide if I should carry a rather expensive Canon DSLR camera (concealed, of course) around with me when I'm moving about solo. Any thoughts?

I would be VERY careful carrying that around, specially in Rio and if you are alone. I took my DSLR with me but only used it in the most touristy places; the rest of the time it stayed at the hostel.

How do you take pictures with a concealed camera? You have to take it out to take photos, don't you?
IMO the only places to use a DSLR in Rio are on the ticketed heights of Sugarloaf and the Cristo, alongside all the other tourists. And I would take a taxi to and from your lodgings.
You can't concentrate on taking photos and still remain vigilant about your surroundings. Tourist crime is opportunistic in Rio; don't give anyone the opportunity. Remember that your DSLR represents a few months living expenses for many whole families in Rio.

Hmmm. Dozens of tourists taking happy snaps of the sunset with DSLRs at Arpoador.

Museum of the Future, check.

Morro do Leme, check.

Cinelândia, check.

Botanical gardens, Zoo, ferries, check.

Santa Teresa, check.

Lapa, check.

Pretty much anywhere in Zona Sul, including the beach.

I don't own a DSLR but I've seen 'em in all of those places and that's just off the top of my head. I'm not suggesting it's advisable, merely an observation re where I've spotted tourists with big cameras in town. People do it. I should point out that I'm neither a keen observer of tourists or even that particularly observant.

As a general rule, take what you can afford to lose or your insurer can. That's not Rio or even Brazil specific advice, it's a general truism. Whilst the previous poster's advice regarding taxis is sound vis a vis carrying valuables or travel at night don't interpret it to mean avoiding public transport.

Personally, I wouldn't carry anything valuable around the Arcos da Lapa, day or night. Too many reports of muggings, which is funny because there are less in the somewhat less salubrious parts nearby.

You can add Centro and Lapa (including the Arcos during the day). I was there, and while my camera isn't a DSLR, I doubt prospective robbers would see the difference (it's a bloody big Panasonic Superzoom). I have taken it all over Rio. Only time I left it home was at night (not so much out of fear, but out of common sense) and when going to blocos at Carnaval, because it's large and clunky and I didn't want to worry about it, and my phone would do just fine for any photo I wanted to take (except that the battery fried in the first 5 minutes and that was the end of my phone for the entire trip).

Now, I don't necessarily recommend that. I know I am increasing the risk factor of getting mugged by carting around a big camera. On the other hand, the main thing that contributes to that is that your DSLR signals that you're a tourist. And wandering around gawking, will signal that clearly enough anyway. The only time I felt that it truly increased my risk was when heading off the main tourist routes in the Pelourinho and it getting dark faster than I expected in a rather insalubrious part of Salvador. I had a daypack and stowed my camera away, and while my confused peering around and figuring out the way back to the main tourist street still gave me away as a not-a-local, I figured I had reduced the obviousness of it for casual observers.

Thanks for sharing. I've done quite a bit of my own research in regards to moving about Rio safely and how to not become the target of opportunistic crime... but I really want to take pictures. But I also don't want to get mugged or even worse, have my camera stolen. I'd certainly never take it out with me at night.

I'm only going to be a true solo traveler for 4 of the 7 days, so if the person I'm meeting up with can avoid looking like a tourist as well, I might risk taking my camera with me when he's traveling with me. There is only so much research I can do -- will probably just make the call once I'm on the ground and can get a feel for things.

Things I've read: Make eye contact with people as you're walking around (someone else has told me just to look confident and politely stare everyone down), have some confidence and never look lost (even if you have to pretend).